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Malone/Roberts rights traded to TB

The Tampa Bay Lightning's new ownership group vowed to be "staggeringly aggressive' in the NHL's free agent sweepstakes and they are trying to get a head start on that.

Sources tell TSN the Lightning have traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for the exclusive negotiating rights to forwards Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts, who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

Sources say if the Lightning were to sign Malone, the more coveted free agent of the two, the fourth-round pick would become a third round pick.

Malone has indicated he intends to go to July 1 to see what the market would bear for his services. Whether this development changes that remains to be seen. It is more likely the Lightning may be able to sign the veteran Roberts, who said during the playoffs that he intended to play again but knew it would not be for the Penguins.

This team is going to have a different look next year; the depth is not going to be there like it was the last few years so now we need to hope that whoever else is brought in and the remaining guys can pick up the slack.

This team is going to have a different look next year; the depth is not going to be there like it was the last few years so now we need to hope that whoever else is brought in and the remaining guys can pick up the slack.

I could see this year being Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay for the Eastern Conference finals to be honest. The Lightning have been very active this year in the FA pool and it would not be surprising if Melrose has them rolling from the start.

Nah. If the Lightning turn things around it will be because they finally have some good players to play with Lecavalier and St.Louis. I doubt Melrose will be a big positive factor. I love Barry, but he's been out of the league too long, and wasn't really a great coach to begin with.

Even with the players they've signed, they're probably looking at contending for one of the last few playoff spots at best. Which is a pretty damn good turn around after finishing last.

I still think the Easter Conference is between the Pens, Canadiens, Rangers, and maybe Washington.